Third round, second city

This afternoon's draw for the Third Round of the FA Cup awarded us with a trip to Birmingham City.

It could have been worse (Chelsea remained undrawn for an ominously long time, and we avoided the rematch with Hereford that the media will have craved), but there could certainly have been easier draws than having to travel to a side who currently top the Championship, having recently hit their stride and boasting an on-loan striker who is in red-hot form in Nicklas Bendtner. We'll also be forced to put up with the usual platitudes about being a dyed-in-the-wool Geordie from ol' Cauliflower Face Bruce.

Still, at least we should get the chance to run the rule over Matthew Upson, a rumoured January transfer target for ourselves as well as several other Premiership sides. Don't mind if he impresses, given that we need quality defensive reinforcements - just as long as his colleagues in blue have a nightmare...